Attorn



(No Model.)

J. E. FULLER. PRIMARY BATTERY.

2 Sheets-Sheet I1 PatentedMar; 15, 1898..

m: NORRIS PETERS cu. PHOTO-LUNG" WASM|NGTONQ c l/V VE N 70/? j; ATTORNEY.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shee 2.

J. E. FULLER. PRIMARY BATTERY.

No. 600,850. Patented Mar. 15,1898.

J. ENSIGN FULLER, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD To GEORGE w. MUNRO, OF SAME PLACE.

PRIMARY BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,850, dated March 15, 1898.

Application filed April 5, 1897. Serial No. 630,781. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. ENSIGN FULLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Primary Batteries, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for generating electricity, and particularly to primary batteries; and the object thereof is to provide an improved device of this class which is simple in construction and effective and durable in operation and which may be employed wherever such generators are applicable, and which is particularly adapted for use in connection with light machinery, incandescent or glow lamps, and for other and similar purposes.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved primary battery in which the life of the battery solution may be prolonged by separating the zincs from the solution when the battery is not in use and sealing the solution in separate cells by itself, so as to prevent said solution or the vapors therefrom from continuing to decompose the Zincs, the battery being inverted when the operation of separating the solution from the zines is performed; and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the operation of strong-acid battery solutions the life of the solution may be prolonged by separating the zincs and the solution when the battery is not in use and sealing the solution in cells by itself, so as to prevent said solution or the vapors therefrom I from continuing to decompose the zines, and

agitating or churning the solution and by means of which the hydrogen bubbles which adhere to and insulate the poles in batteries of this class as usually constructed are prevented from collecting on said poles, and the formation of what is called chrome-alum is also prevented.

It has been found that in bicycle and carriage lamps primary batteries capable of operating a small candle-power electric lamp will lose their power in two or three hours even though considerable agitation is brought about by the motion of the vehicle; but this motion, however, is not steady and is generally more in the nature of a tremor and does not churn or agitate the liquids or solution sufficiently; and one of the objects of this invention, therefore, is the production of batteries wherein the tendency of the battery solution to disintegrate under electric and chemical action is largely counteracted by means hereinafter described and wherein the properly-prepared exciting fluid is constantly presenting new contact portions to the surfaces of the poles, thus obtaining the full electric V discharge of which the battery is capable and a far greater number of light-hours, and a further object of the invention being to provide a simple, cheap, and effective apparatus which forms a part of the battery, by which all possible action of the solution is terminated by sealing the cells when not in use until the light or power is again required.

In lamps, such as bicycle and carriage lamps, operated by electric-sol ution batteries it has been necessary to empty out the partlyused' solution as soon as the destination is reached, no matter how short the ride, for the reason that although the acid solution may be thrown away from the zincs by turning the battery upside down and actual contact with them terminated, still if the solution is left in the battery-cells the acid vapor rising from the solution will keep up the decomposition of the zines, so that such batteries have to be replenished completely before being used again, and in all primary-battery work my use in connection with lamps for watchmen, carriages, bicycles, and similar vehicles; and said invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by the same letters of reference in each of the views, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved battery when used as an electrical generator for an incandescent lamp, the battery being inverted; Fig. 2, a central longitudinal vertical section thereof; Fig. 3, a side elevation view of the device when used as a bicycle-lamp and showing its support; Fig. 4, an end view thereof; Fig. 5, a side View showing my improved battery connected with the frame of a bicycle and in operative connection with an incandescent or glow lamp, one of the springs shown in Figs. 3 and 4 being omitted; Fig. 6, a side view of the device when used as a carriage or buggy lamp and showing the supports therefor.

In recently-invented batteries, as well as in older styles, the cells have been made gas or vapor tight to keep the fluid from evaporating rapidly, and diminutive vents have been inserted or provided to prevent the accumulation of too great pressure; but these vents are necessarily not closed after the fluid and zines are separated, because the chemical ac tion is not stopped. Consequently the fluid goes on evaporating to the outside air and becomes weaker very fast.

In my improved battery the fluid is not only sealed away from the zines when the battery is not in use, but the vent is contained in the closing-rod and sealing-stopper which I employ, and when the fluid is thrown into the storage-compartments, Which form a part of the battery to separate it from the zines, and the compartments are closed said compartments have no egress to the outer air, but are air-tight, while. the moisture left clinging to the zincs in the working cells may be evaporated to the outer air and thus dry said zines quickly.

In the construction of my improved battery I provide a casing A, which is composed of or molded from rubber or a composition of rubber and other suitable material, or aluminium coated with acid-proof and insulating enamel may be employed, and said easing is provided with vertical partitions a, formed integrally therewith, two of these partitions being shown in the drawings, the battery shown in the drawings being a three-cell battery. The three separate compartments formed-by the vertical partitions Ct are divided centrally and transversely by partitionplates a which are placed upon the corresponding ledges or shoulders formed in the inner end walls of the casing and'on the partitions a, as shown at a and these partition- .plates are preferably composed of the same material as the casing, and by means thereof three separate storage-compartments a are formed and also three cells a The partition-plates a are intended to separate the cells a from the storage-compartments a and the partition-plates ct project upwardly, preferably above the top of the sides of the casing, and the cells a are closed by caps a, which are also secured on ledges or projections a formed on the inner walls of the casing and on the partition-plates. It is evident that this end of the battery may be closed in molding the casing A and the opposite end closed by caps, or similar caps may be used on the storagecompartment end of the cells also, instead of having that end as a part of casingA.

The positive poles of the battery are shown at B and are preferably tubular in form, and, as shown, are perforated or provided with slots 1) to permit of the free passage of the battery solution therethrough, and these slots or openings b are formed in the sides and upper ends of the carbons or poles B, or said positive poles may consist of separate parts, as will be readily understood.

Each of the caps a is provided with a central circular opening at 61 which is also arranged centrally of the tubular carbons B, and through said openings are passed the zines D, which are cylindrical in form, and each of these zines is provided with a screwthreaded bolt (1, which is screwed thereinto and on which is mounted a rubber cylindrical packing d and said bolt is provided with a milled head or nut C, in which is formed an annular groove 0 and between the head 0 of each of 'said screw-threaded bolts and the rubber paekin g d is placed a washer d ,which is preferably greater in diameter than the said head 0 and the opening 61, 111 the cap a. My invention, however, is not limited to this exact form of construction for connecting the zines D with the rod or bolt 61 and for closing the opening a and any suitable means may be provided for this purpose.

The cap or cover of the right-hand cell, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is provided with an angular spring-arm E, which is pivoted to said cap or cover and which is adapted to turn thereon and to engage with the groove 0 in the milled head 0 of the zinc which passes into the right-hand cell, and said cap or cover is also provided with another springarm E which is pivoted thereto and which isangular in form and which is adapted to engage with the groove (1 in the milled head 0 of the bolt d, which passes into the zinc of the middle cell, and the cap or cover of the middle cell is provided with an angular spring-arm E, which is pivoted thereto and which is adapted to engage with the annular groove 0 in the milled head 0 of the bolt d, which passes into the zinc B of the left-hand cell.

The tubular carbons or poles B are connected with the caps 0. of their respective cells by screws F, which are passed through said caps and into holes formed inthe upper ends of said tubular carbons or poles, and said carbons or poles where the screws F enter are enlarged or thickened, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and between the upper ends of said carbons or poles and said caps a are placed soft-rubber packing-rings a", and by means of the screws F the carbons or poles B are drawn tightly against the caps a and the said rubber packing prevents the battery fluid or solution from coming in contact with said screws.

Connected withone of the screws by which the carbon or pole B of the left-hand cell is secured to the cap a is awire or conductor f,

which is connected with the screw-threaded socket of an incandescent electric light f as shown in Fig. 1, or with a binding-post f as shown in Fig. 3, and the zinc of the first or lefthand cell is connected with the spring contact-arm E by means of the head 0 of the bolt cl in said zinc, and said contact-arm is connected with one of the screws by which the carbon or positive pole of the middle battery is secured to the cap thereof by means of a wire as shown inFig. 1, and the zinc of the second or middle cell is electrically connected in the same manner with the carbon in the third or right-hand cell by the spring-arm E and a wire f and the zinc of the third or right-hand cell is connected with the spring-arm E, with which is connected a wire f, which is also connected with the head of the incandescent electric lamp f as shown provided with a central conical opening at g,

the base of which is directed downwardly, and each of the cells is provided witha small curved vent-tube 9 one end of which is passed through the corresponding plate a and terminates at one side of the central conical opening '6, and formed on or secured to the under side of each of the partition-plates a is a screw-threaded hub or thimble 9 which projects into the corresponding compartment a and the bottom of each compartment is provided with a central opening 9 and pass ing through each of the openings g is a short shaft 9 the upper end of which is screwthreaded and adapted to enter the corresponding thimble or hub 9 and these shafts g are composed of rubber or similar material and each is provided at its upper end with a valve g, which is adapted to close the opening g in shafts g and said shafts are each provided with a longitudinal passage 9 and mounted on or formed on the tubular bolts g between the valves 9 and the corresponding ends of the shafts 9 are washers g", which are thicken ed at the center and the smaller portions of which bear upon the ends of the shafts 9 The tubular bolts 9 are composed of hard rubber and provided at their ends with small heads H, and around the openings 9 in the casing through which the shafts g pass are formed or secured collars h, in which are placed packing-rings W, and these collars are closed by screw-threaded caps h through which the shafts 9 pass, and mountedon the end of each of said shafts is a gear-wheel h and the central shaft is projected and provided with a milled wheel h", and by turning the milled wheel h each of the gear-wheels h will be operated. The longitudinal passages g in the shafts g are projected entirely through said shafts, and the ends of the shafts are provided with small cup-shaped cavities or inclosed recesses g", one of which is shown in full lines in Fig.2.

The shafts g in the compartments a are each screw-threaded, and the thread on the shafts inthe outer compartments are the same and preferably-left-hand threads, while the thread on the shaft in the inner compartment differs therefrom and is preferably a right hand thread, and by turning the wheel h the openings g in the partition-plates a may all be opened or closed at the same time, as will be readily understood, and at the same operation the ends of the vent-tubes 9 which communicate with said openings, will also be opened or closed by said valves, and the ends of the vent-tubes 9 project upwardly almost to the cap-plates a of the cells.

The upper ends of the shafts g are provided with grooves K, which extend through the screw-threaded portions thereof and which are shown in full lines in the left-hand compartment and in dotted lines in the other two compartments, and formed in the sides of the thimbles 9 near the top thereof, are'vent openings or passages 70, any desired number of which may be employed.

The passages g in the shafts 9 form vents to assist in the passage of the fluid to the working cells when the latter are filled from the storage-compartments, and the vent-tubes g assist in the quick passage of the fluid from the working cells back into the compartments when it is desired to stop the working of the battery.

As will be readily understood, the normal position of the battery when not inuse is that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which position the battery fluid is confined in the storage-compartments and sealed therein, and neither said fluid nor the fumes therefrom can come in contact with the zines D, and whenever it is desired to put the battery in operation it is inverted, and the wheel h is turned to the left, and this operation opens the ports or passages g in the partition-plates a and the fluid passes into the cells, the battery being inverted for this purpose. In this position of the parts the passages g through the shafts G serve to allow the fumes arising from the battery fluid to escape, thus preventing the swelling or bursting of the battery-casing, and the object of the grooves Kin the shafts G and the small ports or passages 70 in the thimbles g is to allow for the drainage of the battery fluid through said thimbles when the fluid is passing either into the cells a or to the compartments a and it will be understood that the proper position of the battery when in operation is that shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

It will also be understood that my invention is not limited to the material of which the various parts of the battery herein shown and described are composed, and the best material for this purpose may be selected.

In practice the heads 0 of the bolts (1 are screwed down, so that the washers d press firmly upon the cap-plates a", and in this operation the soft-rubber packing d is compressed, so as to tightly close the openings a in the cap-plates, and the washers d3 rest on said cap-plates, and it will also be apparent that other means may be provided for open ing and closing the ports or passages formed in the partition-plates a at the same time, and I do not claim this as new, and an ordi nary stufling-box arrangement may be used.

In practice the battery fluid is provided or furnished in bottles or receptacles which are marked off on the label, showing just how much to put in each cell, and the stoppers or cell-closers, which consist of the valves 9", being pressed into the openings in the partition-plates the fluid is poured in through the central openings a in the cap-plates, and the zines D are then placed in position, the knobs O are turned to the right, and cells a are firmly sealed, so that no liquid or vapor can escape through openings a when the battery is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4t and in operation, it being understood that by turning the movable knobs O on the bolts or screws 01 to the left the rubber packings 01 will contract, so that the zincs may be drawn out, and in this operation the spring-arms E, E and E must be turned, so that they will not engage with the knobs or heads 0 of said bolts, and said spring-arms may be turned back again into position after the zincs have been secured in place, as described.

When the cell is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and the battery is in operation, the shafts 9 may be operated or turned so as to slightly open the ports or passages g in the partition-plates a; but this is not essential to the operation of the battery, and whenever it is desired to stop the operation of the battery said battery is inverted and the shafts g are turned, so that the battery fluid will flow out of the cells into the storage-com partments (L as hereinbefore described, and it will thus be seen that when the battery is not in use the battery fluid does not come in contact with the zines and there is no waste or consumption of the latter.

It will be apparent that my improved battery may be used whenever such devices are applicable; but in Figs. 3 to 5, inclusive, I have shown the method of applying my improved battery to a bicycle or similar vehicle for the purpose of operating an incandescent or glow lamp, and in this application of my improvement I provide means for agitating or shaking the battery and the battery fluid when the battery is in operation, the object of this construction being hereinbefore set out. For this purpose I secure to the sides of the casing A of the battery pivoted arms M, to which are attached spiral springs m, and secured to the upper ends of these springs is a cross-plate m centrally of which is secured a supplemental spiral spring m and to the spring m is secured a cross-bar m which is provided on its uppersurface with a longitudinal groove m and the cross-bar m is provided with transverse slots or openings m through which are passed straps m by means of which the battery may be connected with the upper horizontal rod m of a bicycle-frame.

The binding-posts f and f serve as attachments for wires or conductors O, and connected with the upper part of the forward portion of the frame of the bicycle is a clamp 0 which is provided with an arm 0 to which is secured in any desired manner a reflector O in which is placed an ordinary incandescent or glow lamp, which is not shown, and said reflector 0 maybe provided with a backwardly-directed tubular attachment O in which may be placed a glass, by means of which the light may be seen from the rear of the vehicle.

In the construction shown in Fig. 5 the spring m is omitted; but the operation will be substantially the same in both cases, and by means of the spring m and the spring m when the latter is employed, the battery will be kept in a constant state of agitation, as will also the battery fluid therein, and the life of said battery may thus be prolonged, as hereinbefore described, and other forms of springs may be employed. I have also shown in Fig. 6 devices forsupporting my improved battery on a carriage or other vehicle, and these devices consist of a brace or other suitable support R, on which is mounted a spiral spring B on which is placed a frame R by means of which the battery may be supported, and by reason of the spring R the battery will be constantly agitated or shaken when the vehicle is in motion, and this agitating or shaking of the battery will result in agitating or shaking the battery fluid, as will be readily understood, and the result of this operation will be the same as that hereinbefore described with reference to the construction shown in Figs. 3 to 5, inclusive.

My improvement is not limited to the exact form, construction, and arrangement of the various parts thereof as herein shown and described, and it will be apparent that changes therein and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, I

' claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a primarybattery, a casing provided with vertical partitions, and transverse partitionplates, whereby separate cells and storage-compartments are formed, said cells being closed at one end by said partition-plates, and at the other by cap-plates to which depending, tubular, positive poles are secured and which are removable therewith, said capplates being also provided with central openings through which the zincs are passed, and

said partition-plates being also provided with ports or passages whereby the battery fluid may be passed from the cells to the compartments, and from the compartments back to the cells, and means for closing or opening said ports or passages consisting of shafts which pass through the bottomsof said compartments, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a primary battery, a casing provided with vertical partitions, and transverse partition-plates, whereby separate cells and storage-compartments are formed, said cells being closed at one end by said partition-plates, and at the other by plates, to which depending positive poles are secured, said plates being also provided with central openings through which the zincs are passed, andsaid partitionplates being also provided with ports or passages whereby the battery fluid may be passed from the cells to the compartments, and from the compartments back to the cells, and means for closing or opening said ports or passages simultaneously, consisting of shafts which pass through the bottoms of said compartments and are geared in connection substantially as shown and described.

3. A battery comprising a casing which is provided with vertical partitions whereby separate chambers are formed therein, said chambers being dividedby transverse partition-plates whereby separate cells and storage-compartments are formed, said cells being closed at one end by said transverse partition-plates, and at the other by plates to which carbons or poles are secured, said carbons being provided with side openings, and also with central openings through which are passed the zines, and said transverse partition-plates being provided with ports or passages, and means for opening and closing the same consisting of shafts which pass through the bottoms of said compartments and are tion-plates whereby separate cells and storage-compartments are formed, said cellsbeing closed at one end by said transverse partition-plates, and at the other by cap-plates, tubular carbons or poles secured to the bottoms of said cap-plates, andprovided with side openings, and said cap-plates being provided with central openings through which are passed the zincs, and said transverse partition-plates being provided with ports or passages, and means for opening and closing the same consisting of shafts which pass through the bottoms of said compartments, said zincs being provided with screwthreaded bolts which are passed therein, and on which are mounted rubber packings, and said bolts being provided with washers which are adapted to bear on said cap-plates, and with circular heads, substantially as shown and described.

5. A battery comprising a casing which is provided with vertical partitions whereby sep arate chambers are formed therein, said chambers being divided by transverse partition-plates whereby separate cells and storage-compartments are formed, said cells being closed at one end by said transverse partition-plates, and at the other by cap-plates, tubular carbons or poles secured to the bottoms of said cap-plates, and provided with side openings, and said cap-plates being provided with central openings through which are passed the zines, and said transverse partition-plates being provided with ports or passages, andmeans for opening and closing the same from outside of the casing, said zincs being provided with screw-threaded bolts which are passed therein, and on which are mounted rubber packings, and said bolts being provided with washers which are adapted to bear on said cap-plates, and with circular heads, and said circular heads being provided with annular grooves, and said capplates with a plurality of spring-arms which equal in number said zines, and which are adapted to operate in connection with ed to close said openings in said cap-plates,

said grooves, substantially as shown and described.

and said transverse partition-plates by which the cells and storage compartments are formed, being provided with central ports or passages, and devices for closing or opening the same simultaneously, consisting of shafts which pass through the casing, substantially as shown and described.

7. A battery comprising a casing which is provided with vertical partitions whereby separate chambers are formed, said chambers being provided centrally with transverse partition -plates, whereby cells and compartments are formed, and said cells being provided with cap-plates, carbons or poles secured to said cap-plates, zincs which are passed through central openings formed in said cap-plates, and to which are attached suitable packings which are adapted to firmly close said openings in said cap-plates, and said transverse partition-plates by which the cells and storage-compartments are formed, being provided with central ports or passages, and devices for closing or opening the same simultaneously, consisting of shafts which pass through the bottom of the casin g, and are screw-threaded, and are adapted to enter screw-threaded thimbles formed on or secured to the bottoms of said transverse partition-plates, and valves connected with the inner ends of said shafts, substantially as shown and described.

8. A battery comprising a casing which is provided with vertical partitions whereby separate chambers are formed, said chambers being provided centrally with transverse partition-plates,whereby cells and compartments are formed, and said cells being provided with cap-plates, carbons or poles secured to said cap plates, zines which are passed through central openings formed in said capplates, and attached to which are packings which are adapted to firmly close said openings in said cap-plates, and said transverse partition-plates by which the cells and storage-compartments are formed,being provided with ports or passages, and devices for closing or opening the same, consisting of shafts which pass through the bottom of the compartments, and are screw-threaded, and are adapted to enter screwthreaded thimbles formed on or secured to the bottoms of said transverse partition-plates, and valves connected with the inner ends of said shafts, and said cells being provided with vent-tubes which extend into said transverse partition-l plates, and which open into the ports or passages formed therein, substantially as shown and described.

9. A battery comprising a casing which is provided with vertical partitions whereby separate chambers are formed, said chambers being provided centrally with transverse partition-plates, whereby cells and compartments are formed, and said cells being provided with cap-plates, tubular carbons or poles secured to said cap-plates, and provided with side openings, zincs which are passed through central openings formed in said cap-plates, and which are supported by bolts on which are mounted packings which are adapted to close said openings in said cap-plates, and said transverse partition-plates by which the cells and storage-compartments are formed, being provided with central ports or passages, and devices for closing or opening the same simultaneously, consisting of shafts which pass through the bottom of the casing, and are screw-threaded, and are adapted to enter screw-threaded thimbles formed on or secured to the bottoms of said transverse partition-plates, andvalves connected with the inner ends of said shafts, and said cells being provided with vent-tubes which extend into said transverse partitions,and which open into the ports or passages formed therein, and said shafts and the valves by which the ports or passages, in the transverse partitionplates are closed, being also provided each with a longitudinal vent or passage, substantially as shown and described.

10. The herein-described battery, comprising a casing provided with separate cells and separate storage-compartmen ts, said cells and storage compartments being separated by transverse partition plates which are provided with ports or passages, devicesfor opening and closing said ports or passages, said cells being also provided each with a cap-plate to which the poles are secured, and with venttubes which communicate with the ports or passages in the transverse partition-plates, substantially as shown and described.

11. A battery comprising a casing which is provided with partitions whereby separate chambers are formed, a transverse partitionplate mounted in each of said chambers whereby separate cells andstorage-compartments are formed, said partition-plates being also provided with a port or passage, and said compartments with shafts which pass therethrough, and are provided with valves which are adapted to open and close said ports or passages, and said cells being each provided with vent-tubes which communicate with said ports or passages, substantially as shown and described.

12. A battery comprising a casing which is provided with partitions whereby separate chambers are formed, a transverse partitionplate mounted in each of said chambers whereby separate cells and storage-compartments are formed, said transverse partitionplates being also provided with ports or passages, and said compartments with shafts which pass therethrough, and are provided with valves which are adapted to open and close said ports or passages, and said cells bein g each provided with vent-tubes which communicate with said ports or passages, and capplates to which the poles of each cell are secured, substantially as shown and described.

13. A battery constructed as herein described and provided with vertical partitionplates whereby separate chambers are formed and transverse partition-plates whereby said chambers are divided into cells and storagecompartments, saidcells being provided with closing-plates through which openings are formed, positive poles or carbons secured to said closing-plates, and zincs which are passed through said openings, and said partitionplates being provided with ports or passages and shafts which pass through said compartments and by which said ports or passages may be closed or opened, substantially as shown and described.

.14. A battery constructed as herein described and provided with vertical partitionplates whereby separate chambers are formed, and transverse partition-plates whereby said chambers are divided into cells and storagecompartments, said cells being provided with closing-plates through which openings are formed, positive poles or carbons secured to said closing-plates, and zincs which are passed through said openings, and said partitionplates being provided with ports or passages and shafts which are passed through said compartments, and are provided with valves at their inner ends, said shafts being adapted to be operated simultaneously, substantially as shown and described.

15. A battery constructed as herein described and provided with vertical partitionplates whereby separate chambers are formed, and transverse partition-plates whereby said chambers are divided into cells and storage compartments, said cells being provided with closing-plates through which openings are formed, positive poles or carbons secured to said closing'plates,and zincs which are passed through said openings, and said partition plates being provided with ports or passages and shafts which are passed through said compartments, and are provided with valves ,at their inner ends, said shafts and valves being provided with longitudinal vents which extend therethrough, substantially as shown,

and described.

16. A battery constructed as herein described and provided with a vertical. partition plate or plates whereby separate chambers are formed, and transverse partitionplates whereby said chambers are divided into cells and storage-compartments, said cells being provided with closing plates through which openings are formed, positive poles or carbons secured to said closing-plates, and zincs which are passed through said openings, and said transverse partition -plates being provided with ports or passages and shafts which are passed through said compartments, and are provided with valves at their inner ends, said shafts and valves being provided through and said cells being also provided with vent-tubes which communicate with the ports or passages in said partition-plates, and

ing provided with valves at their inner ends,

and being geared in connection at their outer ends, substantially asshown and described.-

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 2d day of April, 1897.

J. ENSIGN FULLER.

\Vitnesses:

O. GERsT, A. C. VAN BLARooM.

with longitudinal vents which extend there- 

